VICTORIA, B.C. - The University of Victoria Vikes men's field hockey were unable to get on the board today after conceding a 4-0 loss to the visiting Burnaby Lakers on Sept. 20. Despite the score margin, second-year keeper Toby Owen steered away six penalty corners and neutralized a lot of the experienced Burnaby attack. The Vikes are still on the hunt for their first win in the Vancouver Premier League following last weekend's loss to India Club. The Vikes are now 0-2, while Burnaby earn their first win in their first game of the season.

The center of the pitch was held together largely by fourth-year Vike Brenden Bissett and third year Connor Martin. The pair cleaned up a lot of counter attack through the middle, while first-year defender Amardeep Sidhu made several key tackles at the perimeter of the circle. The young Vikes struggled to connect up front, withering away several circle pentrations. The Vikes tallied four penalty corners but were unable to capitalize with most of their attempts firing wide.

Burnaby's roster featured speedy forward and team Canada sand out Gabriel Ho-Garcia, as well as the talents of central defender Adrien D'Andrade and goalkeeper Matthew Peck. Experience was evident as veterans Sukh Butter and Amrit Nijjar created all kinds of danger in the Vikes' 25. 

It took the first 15 minutes for both teams to settle in to the pace of the match. Neither team looked dangerous on the attack until the Lakers managed to earn a penalty corner in the 17th minute. D'Andrade's drag flick was booked for goal but Owen made a good glove save. Sidhu had two mid-air attempts but the Vikes managed to steer them wide.

Ho-Garcia opened the scoring after he put in a lose ball that Owen initially saved. The 1-0 lead held into half time.

Burnaby tallied three time in the second half including Nijjar finishing on the short side in free play in the 47th minute.

Derek Wiggins had a memorable save on a penalty corner taken by D'Andrade that was heading to the top corner. Wiggins made the stick save above his head but the ball redirected off his body and the Vikes had to concede a stroke. Fortunately, D'Andrade was unable to connect and Owen made the easy save.

A baseline run on the left side by Ho-Garcia eventually landed on the stick of Niijar who shelved the ball to advance Burnaby's lead.

The Vikes had good build up from their back field to the midfield line but were unable to generate much up front. Bissett made several individual runs to earn the Vikes a late corner opportunity but their option to Martin was saved by Peck.

Defensively the Vikes were in the game. Midfielder Tyler Klenk and defenders Rodolphe Dejace and Sidhu were consistently breaking down the speed of the Burnaby forwards. Unable to capitalize in the other end, the Vikes are forced to concede their second loss in as many games.

Up next the Vikes will travel to the mainland to face West Vancouver at their home pitch, Rutledge Field, on the north shore. That game will take place on Oct. 4 at 3:00 p.m.